A Gracious Woman Retaineth Honor

by Cheryl S.
from Virtuous Daughters, August 2003~Volume 3, Number 5

Darling Virtuous Daughters,
    As I typed my greeting to you, I couldn’t help but wonder if you get tired of me calling you this. Do you ever wonder why I greet you this way each time? Please know that it is with sincerity in my heart that I call you this. You see, as I type to you, I think of each of you, and I ask the Lord to use me in some way to bless you and encourage you in your search for Him. I think of each of your sweet, smiling faces shining for Jesus. I think of how each of you are God’s workmanship, created in His image, to glorify Him all of your days. Psalm 139:14 “…I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” I am filled with joy when I think of the beautiful virtuous daughters each of you are becoming. What a radiant future!

Now, let’s talk about the topic of graciousness. Graciousness. What thoughts come to your mind when you think of this word? For some reason I think of long ago when the ladies dressed in long, flowing dresses and spoke with a soft, formal tone. But does it have to apply only to long ago, not really useful for today? Well, what does graciousness mean? The Webster dictionary definition is: #1: marked by kindness and courtesy  #2: graceful  #3: characterized by charm and good taste  #4: merciful. So you see, these qualities do still apply to us today. As a matter of fact, they apply to each of you no matter what your age. Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another…”   1 Corinthians 13:4 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind…”  You are being a gracious young lady now when you show these qualities.

When I think of a particular person in my life who has demonstrated graciousness, I think of how she always puts others first. Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”  SELFLESS. Yes, this describes this sweet young lady whom I know very well. Whenever there is a line, she patiently waits at the end. She always offers a hand to anyone in need. She never tries to draw attention to herself and her desires, but willingly and lovingly puts them aside to let others speak up. Because I know this sweet young lady well, I have seen her ups and downs. I have seen her when it is very difficult to choose to do right. Well, who is she, you may wonder. Why aren’t you telling us? I am not telling you because it’s not the girl, but the God. Yes, I am talking about a true person, but it is the Living God in her that helps her to do these things and make these choices. John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” 

This same God, a gracious God, is our God. Exodus 22:27 “…I am gracious.” He wants to equip each of us to live in His image. Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him”  You see, this girl is not any different from any other Christian girl. She just fills her heart and mind with the things of God. Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” She learns His Ways by knowing His Word. Then she draws her Sword of the Spirit to use in times of battle and temptation. The Lord wants this from each of us. 
     
I challenge you, dear girls, right now commit to live in His image. It doesn’t matter how old you are, for today is the Lord’s day. Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord hath made…” Don’t think, “I’ll wait until I’m adult to really study my Bible." For, Proverbs 20:11 says, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”  Ask Him to search your heart. 1 Chronicles 28:9 “…for the Lord searcheth all hearts…”
   
This verse is a beautiful daily prayer to our Loving Father: Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” May the Lord bless you richly today, girls, as you spend time in His Word and living His Ways.